Van Cortlandt Jewish Center
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Bronx Politics and Community events
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A New Jersey real estate developer and attorney each admitted to conspiring to orchestrate a mortgage fraud scheme that led to over $3.5 million in losses, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Victor Santos, aka Vitor Santos, 63, of Watchung, New Jersey, and Fausto Simoes, 69, of Millington, New Jersey, each pleaded guilty by videoconference to Count One of an indictment charging them with conspiracy to commit bank fraud before U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp in Trenton federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From September 2007 through November 2008, Santos, a real estate developer, and Simoes, an attorney, conspired with each other and others to fraudulently obtain mortgage loans with a total value of more than $4 million. Santos orchestrated the scheme to recruit fake, or “straw” buyers to purchase 12 properties in Newark. Using the identity and credit of these straw buyers allowed Santos, Simoes, and their conspirators to conceal their identities from the lender as the actual purchasers of the properties. Santos and others induced people to be straw buyers by agreeing to pay each straw buyer at least $5,000, secure tenants to lease the purchased properties, and cover costs associated with the property, including fees associated with the real estate purchases and the mortgage payments on each of the fraudulently obtained mortgages. Santos, Simoes, and others also caused the submission of fraudulent and false loan applications and documents to the mortgage lender.
Simoes conducted the closings of 10 of the fraudulent transactions and helped perpetuate the fraud by falsely reporting that the straw buyers were providing the cash required at closing when, in fact, Simoes received those funds from a shell company controlled by Santos and another conspirator. For several transactions, Simoes also failed to disclose to the lender that the shell company controlled by Santos and another conspirator would receive a substantial payout from the loan proceeds.
Shortly after the properties were acquired, Santos and his conspirators broke their promises to pay the mortgages. The straw buyers, in whose names the mortgages were obtained and thus were responsible for the payments, did not have enough money to pay the fraudulently obtained mortgages and defaulted, which caused the lender, Fannie Mae, and insurers to lose more than $3.5 million.
Conspiracy to commit bank fraud carries a maximum potential penalty of 30 years in prison, a fine of $1 million or twice the gross gain to the defendants or twice the gross loss to others whichever is greatest. Sentencing for Santos is scheduled for April 12, 2023, and for Simoes, April 13, 2023.
Two other conspirators previously pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Robert Manchak, and special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark, with the investigation leading to the guilty pleas.
Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams released the following statement in response to new polling that shows broad nationwide support for policies to restrict and end the use of solitary confinement. His bill with Committee on Criminal Justice Chair Carlina Rivera to create an enforceable ban on solitary in New York City has supermajority support in the City Council in spite of continued efforts to advance misconceptions and misinformation about the legislation.
"This new polling shows that there is nationwide bipartisan support for ending solitary confinement, a torture that is currently permitted and practiced within our city. Furthermore, this support falls in line with the framework our bill codifies – prohibiting the harm of isolation, while allowing for separation to ensure safety, de-escalation, and investigation of misconduct.
"Americans are united against continuing torture. Yet here in New York City, purported to be a progressive beacon, some still deny not just the need for an enforceable ban, but the existence of solitary confinement in our jails at all. If the city wants to ‘own’ the problems on Rikers, it has to admit that this problem still exists. Continuing to repeat falsehoods about solitary, and the bill to ban it, is harmful to people on both sides of the bars.
"Our bill has supermajority City Council support, and it’s time to pass it. As elected leaders, we need to stand up for our values and stand behind the facts and data, not the hysteria and misinformation. Rikers is in crisis, and changing that status quo will require coming together to address the reality of the harm, not ignoring it."
Read the full poll and methodology from Data For Progress here.
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The NYPD is releasing body-worn camera footage from an officer-involved shooting that occurred on July 9, 2022, in the confines of the 113th Precinct.
The video includes available evidence leading up to the incident as well as during the incident. The NYPD is releasing this video for clear viewing of the totality of the incident.
All NYPD patrol officers are equipped with body-worn cameras. The benefits of cameras are clear: transparency into police activity, de-escalation of police encounters and accountability for police officers, through an independent account of interactions between the police and the citizens they serve. Body-worn cameras serve as a vital part of ongoing efforts to increase trust between the police and all New Yorkers.
The New York Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation (OSI) has opened an investigation into the death of Miguel Romero, who died on November 19, 2022, in a motor vehicle incident involving members of the Nassau County Police Department (NCPD).
On the evening of November 19, Mr. Romero was walking near the intersection of Front Street and New York Avenue in Uniondale when he was struck by an NCPD vehicle. Mr. Romero was rushed to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Pursuant to New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, OSI assesses every incident reported to it where a police officer or a peace officer, including a corrections officer, may have caused the death of a person, by an act or omission. Under the law, the officer may be on-duty or off-duty, and the decedent may be armed or unarmed. Also, the decedent may or may not be in custody or incarcerated. If OSI’s assessment indicates an officer caused the death, OSI proceeds to conduct a full investigation of the incident.
These are preliminary facts and subject to change.
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced a voluntary compliance agreement under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) with New York University (“NYU” or the “University”) to increase the accessibility of NYU’s student housing facilities for individuals with disabilities. The agreement covers all of NYU’s student housing facilities in the New York metropolitan area.
Title III of the ADA requires that privately owned places of public accommodation, including colleges and universities, remove physical barriers to access to existing facilities where it is readily achievable to do so, comply with accessibility standards for new construction and alterations, and modify policies and practices where necessary to ensure full and equal enjoyment of services and facilities.
The out-of-court agreement resolves a compliance review during which the U.S. Attorney’s Office identified various aspects of NYU’s student housing facilities that were not in compliance with Title III of the ADA and the ADA Standards for Accessible Design, including violations of the new construction provisions of the ADA and barriers to access to existing facilities.
NYU’s New York-area campuses include student housing facilities in Manhattan, in Brooklyn, and on Long Island for the University’s undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools. The agreement covers a total of more than 4,000 student housing units, which are located within 22 NYU-owned student housing facilities and 10 facilities leased in full or in part by the University.
NYU has agreed to prepare a plan under which it will survey and make alterations to its student housing facilities within five years, update its student housing emergency preparedness plans, and improve the accessibility information related to student housing on its website.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “The ADA requires colleges and universities to ensure that no individual is discriminated against on the basis of disability in the full and equal enjoyment of their services and facilities. We are pleased that NYU has committed to improving accessibility within the University’s student housing facilities and hope that other colleges and universities will follow suit and increase access to their facilities for individuals with disabilities.”
Under the agreement, NYU will:
First Batch of Approved Awards Include 74 Shovel-Ready Projects
Full List of Awardees Thus Far Available Here
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that more than $68 million has been awarded to support 74 projects across New York State through the Regional Economic Development Council initiative. Round XII included core capital grant and tax-credit funding from Empire State Development, which was made available on a continuous and competitive basis to support the immediate needs of communities. Funding will support impactful projects that align with each region's strategic goals. The application for Empire State Development Grant funds remains open, and applications are being reviewed on an on-going basis until funds are exhausted. Applicants with strong, shovel-ready projects that align with the state and region's economic development priorities can apply through the Consolidated Funding Application.
"Through the Regional Economic Development Councils, we continue to make strategic investments across New York that align with each community's top priorities," Governor Hochul said. "I'm proud to announce this next round of awards that were recommended by stakeholders who live and work in the regions they represent. This investment will help bring more opportunity for New Yorkers, spur economic development, and fuel the future success of communities across our state."
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "The Regional Councils continue be a strong economic driver for our state's economy. These awards represent projects that showcase each region's strengths and will go a long way to transform the local economies across the state."
This first round of projects was recommended by each Regional Council because of their project readiness and alignment with each region's strategic plan. Highlights include:
The Regional Economic Development Council process continues to support and empower regional stakeholders in developing strategic plans and funding priorities that meet local economic needs. To date, through the Regional Economic Development Council Initiative, more than $7.6 billion has been awarded to support more than 9,300 job creation and community development projects consistent with each region's strategic plan.
About the Consolidated Funding Application
The Consolidated Funding Application was created to streamline and expedite the grant application process. The Consolidated Funding Application process marks a fundamental shift in the way state resources are allocated, ensuring less bureaucracy and greater efficiency to fulfill local economic development needs. The Consolidated Funding Application serves as the single-entry point for access to economic development funding, ensuring applicants no longer have to slowly navigate multiple agencies and sources without any mechanism for coordination. Now, economic development projects use the Consolidated Funding Application as a support mechanism to access multiple state funding sources through one application, making the process quicker, easier, and more productive. Learn more about the Consolidated Funding Application here.
About the Regional Economic Development Councils
The Regional Economic Development Council initiative is a key component of the State's approach to State investment and economic development. In 2011, 10 Regional Councils were established to develop long-term strategic plans for economic growth for their regions. The Councils are public-private partnerships made up of local experts and stakeholders from business, academia, local government, and non-governmental organizations. The Regional Councils have redefined the way New York invests in jobs and economic growth by putting in place a community-based, bottom up approach and establishing a competitive process for State resources. Learn more at regionalcouncils.ny.gov.